boomtube-mk2
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The Indicator, PN 7244, just begs to be two-staged.
https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/estes-indicator-two-stage-build.164986/The Indicator, PN 7244, just begs to be two-staged.
Looks more like the Vapor finsThe Star Orbiter in next year's catalog has different fins. Could be that someone just screwed up the artwork?
Current:
View attachment 499181
Catalog:
View attachment 499182
See posts #23 and #24…Looks more like the Vapor fins
Well I guess if I got a kit and the fins didn't look like what I was expecting from the photo in the catalog I would just get some balsa and make my own set.See posts #23 and #24…
They’ve been using that “stock” shot of the rocket display in the Estes conference room for at least the last three catalogs (maybe longer) so I wouldn’t lean on it too hard as a predictor of what’s coming next - though there have been some fairly strong hints that there’s some kind of SpaceX scale model coming eventually along with the much discussed possible return of the Mercury Atlas plus a vaguely hinted return of one of the old Maxi Brutes (my guess would be a V-2 since there’s no V-2s in the current Estes lineup).Take a look at the picture of rockets, etc. on page 54 of the new Estes catalog. I’m hoping some or all might be available soon/in the future?
Starship
(what’s the rocket standing next to the Starship) ?
Jayhawk
1:100 Scale Little Joe II, #0892 (you can see the LES sticking up
above the guys cap)(just guessing)
Phoenix
1:45 Scale Little Joe II
1:200 Scale RTF Falcon Heavy
Jupiter-C and Explorer-1, #1976
SR-71
Big diameter SpaceX Dragon II nose cone
Big diameter and long pointed nose cone, with two small canards, or what are those?
All I see that's new in the catalog are the B.O.S.S, Super Orbital Transport, and builder's kit of the New Shepard.
The RTF version has the add on clear fin set too.Looking at the builder's vs RTF New Shepard
Builder is 11.8" long, RTF is only 10.3" (shorter)
BUT - Builder is 1.64" diameter, RTF is 1.78" (fatter)
So not quite the same. Also, fins appear bigger on the builder's kit vs the RTF version
Are these supposed to be different versions of an NS rocket or just sizes based on available BT??
I presume based on available BT. Larger fins because presumably (for whatever reason) they didn't want to do clear fins on the builder's kit.Are these supposed to be different versions of an NS rocket or just sizes based on available BT??
At least an updated version - nice to see!Is that an old school Estes logo on the back cover?
Has to have larger fins than the RTF which uses a plastic fin unit for flight - Estes has 1+ caliber stability standard. They identify the builder kit as “stand-off scale” which in this case I assume the body tube is longer for the same reason the fins are bigger - to hit that required stability margin.I presume based on available BT. Larger fins because presumably (for whatever reason) they didn't want to do clear fins on the builder's kit.
Frankly, it doesn't look very appealing to me, although it is much cheaper than the RTF version.
I really like the front and back cover art this time around and it reminds me of the Estes catalogs from the 70’s.At least an updated version - nice to see!
Some of the prices are really confusing to me - why does an Alpha III cost $24 but the Athena is $15? Slightly different nose cone, Athena has a longer body tube, same fin can. Generic E2X $24, Mongoose $18, similar differences but you get another stage and plastic fin can with the Mongoose! Makes no sense to me.
Little surprised they used the Snooper rather than the Orbital Transport but yes, it is very nice cover art - definitely a bit of a throwback.I really like the front and back cover art this time around and it reminds me of the Estes catalogs from the 70’s.
I don't remember if those relationships existed before, but I believe the Generic E2X was closer to $14 before this increase, making that a 70% increase in one year, which is nuts. Maybe they just believe that the Alpha III and Generic E2X are popular with people who aren't going to look at prices across the range? The Alpha III and Athena are right next to each other in the catalog. I just noticed that the Athena is pre-assembled, though I don't know why that would make it cheaper.Estes typically raises it's prices 5%-7% each year. It also depends on how long the kit has been in production. Longer in production=More price increases.
In addition material costs go up along with overhead.
I just noticed that the Athena is pre-assembled, though I don't know why that would make it cheaper.
I’m thinking eRockets Super Orbital Transport is supposed to be BT-60 main BT? Maybe eRockets will focus on their Scissor Wing Transport.I guess we know why we never saw the upscaled Orbital transport released from ERockets. I'm sure there is some sort of agreement between them that they won't sell the same model at the same time since they are Estes designs.
I'll have to grab one of the orbital transports and the BOSS. Otherwise there's nothing else that interests me. Hopefully we'll get midyear releases like we did in 2021.
They’ve been using that “stock” shot of the rocket display in the Estes conference room for at least the last three catalogs (maybe longer) so I wouldn’t lean on it too hard as a predictor of what’s coming next....
While there's some overlap in subject, I don't think this is the same photo they've been using for years. And even if it were, the Space-X subjects were never featured before.They’ve been using that “stock” shot of the rocket display in the Estes conference room for at least the last three catalogs (maybe longer) so I wouldn’t lean on it too hard as a predictor of what’s coming next - though there have been some fairly strong hints that there’s some kind of SpaceX scale model coming eventually along with the much discussed possible return of the Mercury Atlas plus a vaguely hinted return of one of the old Maxi Brutes (my guess would be a V-2 since there’s no V-2s in the current Estes lineup).
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